How wonderful to see that the Widemarsh War Memorial has been restored.

The restoration work was instigated by Hereford City Council - Ward Councillor Paul Stevens after he had been contacted by local veteran Mr David Williams.

Councillor Stevens instructed stone mason Si Hudson to carry out the work, and as you can see from these photographs has done an absolutely fantastic job of bringing back to life the names of the soldiers who gave their lives. There are over 70 names on the memorial in total and their names are now being revealed once again inlaid with black paint. The restoration work will be complete within the next few days.

Councillor Paul Stevens is attempting to contact any known relatives of these soldiers and he has already had some success and has managed to contact several people in time for a rededication ceremony.

A few months ago we were walking past the duck pond and noticed how dirty and full of algae it had become and I commented at the time on how it had deteriorated over the years. A few days later we noticed a new Facebook group that has only recently been set up by local chap Keith Marston called 'The Duck Pond Hereford clean up' and thought what a great idea, we joined the group immediately and said that Hereford Voice would help out and publicise this idea as much as possible. Jim Kenyon is also doing what he can to raise awareness.

We took this photograph today, the pond is absolutely covered in green algae, a lot of this is because people are feeding these ducks with bread, most of us think this is kind but in reality, bread can make ducks ill and certainly does not contain the right calories and nutrition to keep ducks warm during the winter months. Rotting bread pollutes the water and encourages bad surface algae which kill the fish and causes diseases in ducks as well making the water smell.

We had another thought, long term we could we have a food vending machine like the one in the photo below installed and the proceeds from any profits made to go towards the maintenance of the duck pond...

3 days ago

Herefordshire Council has won an enforcement case against two builders found guilty of fly tipping by the River Lugg.

Samuel Cooper, 31, from Hereford and Matthew Taylor, 28, from Staunton-on-Wye, were both found guilty of failing to transfer controlled waste to an authorised person at Hereford Magistrates’ Court on Friday 4 August 2017. Mr Cooper was also found guilty of transporting the waste without a waste carriers licence.

The fly tipped building waste – which weighed in at 720kg - was reported to Herefordshire Council by an Environment Agency Officer at the River Lugg, which is a site of special scientific interest and conservation.

“We are very pleased to have been able to help Herefordshire Council in taking this prosecution forward, and of course we’re pleased at the outcome. Fly tipping is not just an anti-social blight on our communities, it costs councils and landowners millions of pounds every year to clear up.

“We hope this case will send a very clear message to anyone thinking of breaking the law in this way.”

The maximum penalty for fly tipping is a £50,000 fine and/ or 5 years imprisonment.

Marc Willimont, Herefordshire Council’s Head of Regulatory and Development Management Services, said:

“Action will be taken against any trader, business or person which illegally disposes of their waste or does not ensure that their waste is collected by a registered waste carrier.

“We would encourage anybody who sees fly tipping in action to report the details directly to Herefordshire Council.”

The Community Protection Team will investigate fly tipping cases that are reported via the Herefordshire Council website or by calling 01432 261761. For further information visit http://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/flytipping

1 week ago

Leftstock

1 week ago

Sad news to learn that The Booth Hall is closed again.

Quote taken from their FB page tonight

"We are sure that many of you have heard the rumours and murmurs that the booth Hall doors have sadly shut - we are devastated to tell you this is true and we only found out ourselves just days ago! Sadly after many months of giving our love, time sweat and soul into the building and the music scene the financial side of things eventually beat us and we had to make our peace with the fact we couldn't carry on! We must above all else thank all the people that made this journey possible, enjoyable, special and magical - the people who have facilitated music, supported us and all the people who came through our doors to share so many moments of happiness with us! We love you all for being our community for over a year and a half! With love to you all and a wish that you keep music alive always... And now sadly the booth must wish you a goodnight!"

We took these pictures to highlight how bad they have become throughout the city.

We also have MAJOR concerns over these two trees on the Belmont Road. We have mentioned this several times in the past and yet nothing is being done about it. These trees are a potential accident just waiting to happen. The roots have pushed out the wall beneath. A good storm and strong winds and these will be down.

Walking across the Old Bridge last evening you cannot help but notice that it is a disgrace! Our Old Bridge is the picture that represents Hereford on postcards etc...

1 week ago

The Herefordshire Country Fair is taking place in Hereford this Sunday!

Fishing, laser clay shooting, dog classes, showjumping, classic cars and so much more. Learn how Coracles are made, visit the Commemoration Tent and explore the amazing legacy of the Herefordshire WW1 Home Front. Watch Jump 4 Heroes appear from the skies and see the Cavalry of the Heroes and James Dylan's Motorcycle Stuntworld team. Plus the worlds largest John Deere tractor!

Midlands Connect, a collaboration across the whole of the Midlands between Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Partnerships, Network Rail, Highways England and central government, has allocated £300k of funding to help progress the Hereford Bypass scheme development.

The bypass scheme has been identified as ‘an early priority’ for Midlands Connect as it supports connectivity within the Marches, the Midlands region and across the border with Wales.

Councillor Philip Price, cabinet member infrastructure said:

“Having the support of Midlands Connect to deliver the bypass scheme is key in its successful delivery. The bypass will deliver the growth Herefordshire vitally needs to remain self-sustaining; but from a regional viewpoint it also delivers an improved regional corridor from the Midlands, the Marches and into South Wales.”

Pledging the financial support during a visit to Hereford last week, Midlands Connect Programme Director, Maria Machancoses said:

“The A49 Hereford Bypass will strengthen the economic and transport links between the Midlands and Wales, benefitting people and businesses.”

2 weeks ago

At last!!

We may see some cash machines at the Old Market shopping centre.

Notemachine have submitted another application for the installation of 2 x ATM's to be located near the lifts and Waitrose.

The first application was submitted in June 2015 and was refused, lets hope that this application is more successful.

'Remember where you heard it first'

2 weeks ago

The council will seek approval for extra money to complete Blueschool House, they are only a £1million pound short! Yes a £1million pound, so where will they find this extra money?

Because apparently we do not have any due to cut backs, not even enough money to kill the cities weeds. Yet Councillor Chris Chappell advises us to remove these weeds ourselves! - "No point in moaning about it, please volunteer to get rid of the weeds in your patch. Thanks to government cuts in subsidies"

According to the Council website Herefordshire Council will achieve a saving of over £1million over the next ten years by investing in Blueschool House, receiving rental income from DWP and saving on property costs for Franklin House. They will spend this now on the overspend here, great savings eh!

It was published on the Council website at the end of July that Blueschool House will open on schedule in September.

Woman camping on main Hereford roundabout.
Police have just issued the following statement: POLICE in Hereford have released a statement outlining the support they have provided to a homeless woman living on the city’s busiest roundabout.

The Hereford Times reported last week how Samantha Lamputt had pitched up on the grass alongside the A49 near Tesco and claimed she had not been offered emergency accommodation.

A spokesman for Herefordshire Council, however, said numerous attempts have been made each week over the past several months to provide help and support.

Now, the Safer Neighbourhood Team for Hereford have released a public statement which says they have been actively engaging with Ms Lamputt, 33, to try and help her over the last seven months.

The statement, posted on Facebook, said: “Everyone has rights. You have the right to live how you choose and you have the right to decline assistance if you wish.

"You can decline to claim benefits and decline assistance with accommodation, if you wish. This is a right everyone has and a right that this lady has chosen for herself.

“We have linked in with the Outreach Worker, whose last visit was July 13, where she offered the woman another option of temporary accommodation, this was declined.

“This type of offer has been made before and declined.

"She has been offered advice and assistance with benefits, this has too been declined.

“We would like to reassure the community that although this woman has chosen not to engage with us or the services available to her we will continue to check on her as her wellbeing and safety is paramount.

“We are aware that the location she is in is not ideal, for her or for road users.

"We urge road users to be observant whilst in the area of the roundabout to ensure their own safety and the safety of this woman.”

Anyone willing to discuss how the police work with partners to address issues relating to homelessness in Hereford should call the team on 101.

Summer noise nuisance
Herefordshire Council receives up to 1000 noise complaints a year, with a 50% increase over the summer months.

Report noise nuisance
If you find loud music, parties and barking dogs keeping you awake at night, call the out of hours noise team on 01432 261761. We will be on call over the summer from 9pm to 2am every Friday and Saturday evening, and August bank holiday Sunday.

Be a good neighbour this summer
Follow these top tips to keep the summer fun for everyone:

Parties and gatherings
Always be respectful towards your neighbours and their family, particularly if they have to get up for work the next day. Neighbours are less likely to have a problem with a party if they know about it in advance and what time it will finish. Remember noise from the garden travels further, so make plans to go inside later in the evening and encourage your guests to keep their voices down.
Stereos and TVs
Position the TV and speakers away from your neighbour’s wall – raised off the floor if possible. Keep the volume low as bass frequencies carry further, or use headphones if you like your music loud
Dogs
Constant barking or whining from a dog can be disturbing to neighbours, especially in the summer when people (and dogs) spend more time outside. Dogs may bark because they are lonely or unhappy; if you are going away and your dog is being checked on by a dog sitter, leave a contact number with your neighbours just in case of problems.
DIY
Don’t mow your lawn or start DIY too early or late - you may be an early riser or a night owl, but others may not be! Noisy DIY activities should be kept to a minimum amount of time, or pre-warn neighbours about lengthy DIY work. When buying new power tools, look for the Quiet Mark Award which can help you choose quieter equipment.
Cars
Make sure the music in your car isn’t disturbing others when you are parked up or waiting for someone. Check that your car alarm works properly and if not, get it mended quickly. Be considerate when carrying out car repairs and make sure you don’t start your work too early or too late.
Alarms
Leave a house key and contact number with a neighbour - they can contact you if the house alarm goes off while you are away.
Businesses
Regularly monitor and maintain noisy equipment that can be heard from outside your premises, especially if they operate through the night. When there is less traffic on the roads, low frequency and machinery noises can become louder.

The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland helps consumers choose where to eat out or shop for food by giving them information about the hygiene standards in restaurants, takeaways and food shops.

HEREFORD - Ratings taken on 01 July 2017 from both Scores On The Doors and the Food Standards Agency.

Chinese | Indian | Kebab | Thai restaurants and take-aways with their hygiene ratings of 5 Very Good, 4 Good and 3 Generally Satisfactory:

Thank you to Councillors Tracy Bowes, Derek Preedy, Neil Hooper, with Mandy Preedy and a local chap called Mark all part of the Glastonbury Close action day today. Great efforts today especially in this heat, credit where credit is due.

I cannot help but notice that more and more commercial properties are having a change of use to become residential. Personally, I would prefer to see an empty property being used however, for me, it is about finding that balance between satisfying the need for homes or allowing the constant shrinking of Hereford's commercial properties.

One of my concerns is, if the council allow the change of use from commercial to residential to often, how long will it be before residents start to complain about the 'business's next door', being to noisy or about smells, lights, people, traffic etc...

I think that this conversion in Whitecross Road next to the salon looks terrible.